Helping Skills in Mental Health Facilitation Module 2

Helping Skills in Mental Health Facilitation Module 2

Equipped with Skills Like repairing a fine watch, but instead you: Use words to explore feelings, solutions Time questions appropriately Communicate with empathy and patience This takes practice. Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 2

Early Considerations Purpose of the meeting The person’s expectations Duration of the first meeting Number of meetings Available resources Desired outcome Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 3

Early Goals Recognize that it may be “uneasy” at the beginning Develop a non-threatening approach Be reassuring so that the person: Talks more freely Feels less threatened Is more likely to return Engages in problem solving Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 4

Sometimes you may be direct “Let’s get down to business” Personal Style Sometimes you may be indirect “It’s great to see you again” Always pay attention to the person with whom you are working and what is best for that individual. Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 5

Give Specifics Explain what is likely to happen Explain roles and limitations Discuss logistics (such as time, place), and confidentiality Check to see if the person understands Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 6

A Good Start to Helping Gives a person clear direction about how the MHF process How it can work What can happen Helps the person understand the general process and the skills involved in Mental Health Facilitation Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 7

The Mental Health Facilitation Process Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5: Get ready Learn about the person Learn about the problem Consider various solutions Connect the person to resources and/or help the person to achieve a solution Step 6: Close and follow-up Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 8

Step 1 Get Ready Review all you know and believe about human beings, helping & your community Consider where you will be speaking to the person, and prepare that space for as much privacy and as few distractions as possible Remind yourself of your role and which MHF skills you may use in this situation Practice with compassion, patience and dedication Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 9

Step 2 Learn about the Person Come together Listen, listen Respond to the person’s story Continue to listen and respond as this will lead to even more about the person and the situation Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 10

Step 3 Learn about the Problem Focus on what is most important to the person Ask questions to understand better Continue to sort things out with the person Try to understand all aspects of the situation Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 11

Step 4 Consider a Variety of Solutions Define the problem Find out what has been tried Determine other possibilities Make choices Develop a plan of action Consider support Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 12

Types of Support Working with a family Working with a community Using support systems that already exist such as faith groups Finding traditional helping strategies Looking for other supportive resources Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 13

Step 5: Connect to Resources or Help Implement a Solution Define an action plan Engage in problem-solving Practice new behaviors Use your referral skills Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 14

Step 6: Close and Follow-up Examine plans and progress Check on referrals Plan follow-up possibilities Say good-bye Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 15

If You Believe You Cannot Help Don’t worry Admit it to the person Help the person find appropriate help, including referral to medical and social services Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 16

Explore! What are three things I heard today that I want to remember? What surprised me? What questions do I still have?

Explore! At our next meeting, bring a picture that shows an emotion It can be a family photograph or a picture from a magazine or book

Key Points to Unlock this Module Early goals of the process includes being reassuring and nonthreatening A good start to helping includes providing specifics about the process Help can be in many forms including providing a referral to a professional Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF 19